Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform’s Revised National Resettlement Policy for 2023 to 2033, which aims to ensure the fair and equitable allocation of land, has been approved for implementation by the cabinet.
The approval of the revised policy comes after the agriculture ministry called for the revision of the National Resettlement Policy of 2001 due to several weaknesses in the policy.
The agriculture ministry’s Executive Director (ED), Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, revealed that her ministry identified several gaps in the National Resettlement Policy of 2001. These gaps, she said, included a mismatch of the policy and criteria for the allocation of acquired land, poor agricultural productivity on allocated land, and absence or inadequate pre- and post-settlement support.
Furthermore, she added that the National Resettlement Policy of 2001 had poor stakeholder involvement and coordination and lacked effective monitoring and evaluation of the resettlement process.
“The Revised National Resettlement Policy presents the government’s commitment to addressing the land redistribution challenges that our country continues to battle with in a more coordinated, inclusive, and transparent manner. The policy will ensure that the resettlement program is fair and transparent. The main goal of the policy is to ensure that the land acquired is fairly and equitably allocated and sustainably utilized to improve the quality of life of the beneficiaries,” Nghituwamata explained.
The approval of the Revised National Resettlement Policy for 2023 to 2033 was confirmed by the government’s spokesperson, Dr Peya Mushelenga.
Mushelenga revealed that the revised policy proposes the grouping of beneficiaries into three main target groups. The beneficiaries will be grouped according to commercial farmers on leased land in commercial or communal areas, communal farmers, and non-farming individuals.
The spokesperson also revealed that the revised policy introduces three resettlement models that are considered socially, economically, and politically appropriate. These models are the High Economic Value Model, Moderate Economic Value Model, and Low Economic Value Model. According to the agriculture ministry’s ED, the introduction of the three resettlement models is intended to cover all kinds of landless, displaced, and destitute citizens in the country.
In addition to these revisions, the policy also includes an option for freehold rights to be granted to successful beneficiaries upon meeting conditions for the lease agreement. This particular revision, Mushelenga said, is intended to ensure the security of tenure for resettlement.
He said that the revised policy also tailors pre- and post-settlement support in the form of support services/packages and starting capital for resettled farmers.
